Melanoma within the seborrheic keratosis

Dermatol Surg. 2004 Apr;30(4 Pt 1):559-61. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2004.30178.x.

Abstract

Seborrheic keratoses (SKs) are common benign nonmelanocytic epidermal tumors with characteristic clinical features, which are thought to allow a straightforward diagnosis in most situations. As a result, it is an accepted practice to destroy them without histopathologic confirmation. However, systematic reviews of histologic specimens reveal an erroneous clinical diagnosis or associated malignant tumors in a number of cases, including malignant melanomas. We describe a patient with a clinically typical-appearing SK, which was biopsied and histologically proven to be a malignant melanoma arising in the SK. Our report is a reminder that the reliability of clinical diagnosis of SKs needs to be questioned. In addition, a biopsy of SKs is not only warranted but necessary in order to identify a malignant melanoma that would otherwise be misdiagnosed or even completely missed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Humans
  • Keratosis, Seborrheic / complications
  • Keratosis, Seborrheic / pathology*
  • Keratosis, Seborrheic / surgery
  • Male
  • Melanoma / complications
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Melanoma / surgery
  • Skin Neoplasms / complications
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery